Downloadable Content

Descriptions

An analytical method was adapted to extract semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) from conifer needles. Needles from Abies concolor
(white fir) and Pinus contortas (lodgepole pine) from Sequoia National Park (SNP) were collected during the summer of 2003, and analyzed for SOCs. The goal of this research was to determine differences between one and two year old coniferous growths, differences between species, and compare deposition of SOCs in conifer needles and lichen. Eleven, primarily agricultural, SOCs were found on conifer needles from the two species, in the range of 0.0436 ng/g to 8.267 ng/g (dry weight). One year old growth generally had lower concentrations of SOCs than two year old growth, and white fir needles had generally higher concentrations of SOCs
than lodgepole pine. Lichen had higher SOC concentrations than the conifer needles, but the age of the lichen samples was difficult to determine. T his study demonstrates t hat S OC concentration on conifer needles increases with exposure time to the atmosphere, but that concentration of SOCs may vary between species.